https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:42:28 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-down-time#post-761458 Sat, 04 May 2013 21:04:50 +0000 shopaholic 761458@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Of course today with her Daddy home, she will have NOTHING to do with being put down anywhere! She did about 15-20 min. play time on her floor mat and 1/2 hr in the car sear at lunch, and that's about it! Naps have been hard to get today! I totally jinxed myself writing this post! :/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-down-time#post-760849 Sat, 04 May 2013 09:18:07 +0000 blackbird 760849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I set E down quite a bit. She's content to chill by herself for 30-60 min sometimes (especially first thing in the morning). I get so much done! She also hangs out in her boppy next to me at intervals throughout the day. Honestly, I want to avoid holding her 24/7 because its just unreasonable and I don't want her flipping out at daycare because she doesn't get held all day. She lets me know when she needs some loving. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-down-time#post-760812 Sat, 04 May 2013 08:40:04 +0000 travelgirl1 760812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shopaholic: I used to feel hugely guilty if I wasn't holding her or entertaining her in some way but now she's older (5 months) she spends a lot of time on the floor or on her playgym or bouncy seat and I'm much more at peace with it because she plays or works on new skills so I can see it's good for her. Each awake cycle, I give her a bit of down time as well as some mumy time, food time, etc. A is a bit different because of her hips it was good for her to spend a lot of time on her back kicking, but down time is good for all babies! I would get down and play with her if you feel bad, she will love that! Or sing to her with tactile nursery rhymes... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-down-time#post-760798 Sat, 04 May 2013 07:54:55 +0000 Andrea 760798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would not move her if she's happy and content. I think it's good for them to develop some independence from you. Trust me, you'll want that as they grow older and clingy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-down-time#post-760782 Sat, 04 May 2013 07:32:46 +0000 shopaholic 760782@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: @Penny Lane: @Smurfette: thanks! That helps to think of it as more independent play vs just leaving her in a place. I do sit with her but then it seems funny like I'm just looking at her and thinking of things to say without walking around and pointing things out. Been trying to read books and show her different toys, but then worry about over-stimulation.</p> <p>@NovBaby1112: Thank you for understanding where I'm coming from! Will definitely take your advice and experience into consideration!</p> <p>@littlecasita1122: okay, I think 30 min. Sounds like a good long stretch. I don't even know if she'd be okay for that long yet, but I think that's a good time limit! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-down-time#post-760767 Sat, 04 May 2013 07:16:45 +0000 littlecasita1122 760767@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO would be okay for 30 min or so when laying on his back on the activity gym/mat. I would sit down on the floor next to him for a little bit, but I would also use that time to do a quick chore or to start making dinner. Same with the swing or bouncer chair - I usually felt like 30 min was enough time by himself (unless he fell asleep in the swing, then I wouldn't bother him!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-down-time#post-760761 Sat, 04 May 2013 07:11:32 +0000 NovBaby1112 760761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>ugh, i struggled with this so much....i felt "guilty" for some reason if i just put her down and she was by herself playing for longer than 5 mins. so i held her alot, which i def do not regret, but i wish i would have given her some more independent play time. when she was laying down somewhere like the activity gym or bouncer, i would talk to her, etc, and now that she is 6 months, she requires constant attention! LOL if we ignore her longer than 10 mins she lets us know! haha..so my point is, do not feel guilty! let her play and explore without you for a little. I will definately be doing that more with the next child! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-down-time#post-760721 Sat, 04 May 2013 05:50:27 +0000 Smurfette 760721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I put R down as much as she will let me. Which isn't often but I keep hoping. I want her to be able to entertain herself and rely on us for everything all the time </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-down-time#post-760709 Sat, 04 May 2013 04:37:55 +0000 Penny Lane 760709@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I put LO down as often as he'll allow it. which, granted, isn't that often. but I think it helps them to figure out how be separate from you and entertain themselves </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-down-time#post-760706 Sat, 04 May 2013 03:39:02 +0000 loveisstrange 760706@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I let C down as long as she would tolerate and was happy. I dont regret doing it at all. Shes a very independent girl who can entertain herself now. </p> <p>I wasnt able to a lot when she was tiny because she would justbscream, so It was a massive relief when she would let me. Dont feel guilty. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-down-time#post-760663 Fri, 03 May 2013 23:23:42 +0000 shopaholic 760663@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlepenguin: I do wear her quite a bit usually just because she wanted to be held all the time. It's just a VERY recent thing where I can put her somewhere for more than 5 min. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-down-time#post-760644 Fri, 03 May 2013 22:43:32 +0000 littlepenguin 760644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Would wearing her in wrap or carrier help you feel less guilty? I think it's ok for you baby to have some alone down time, it's helping them be independent and content on their own. As long as their not unhappy or being ignored all day you're ok. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-down-time#post-760632 Fri, 03 May 2013 22:18:37 +0000 Weagle 760632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lo wasn't one to really enjoy being in the swing/bouncer/etc, but she loved the activity gym! So, I would let her lay there as long as she was happy. It was never actually very long :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-down-time#post-760596 Fri, 03 May 2013 21:16:28 +0000 shopaholic 760596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Now that K is willing to let me put her down in something or on the mat for more than a couple of minutes, I feel guilty when she's in the bouncer or swing or on her play mat for for more than 10 minutes! If she's in the car seat/stroller for a long time, then I feel guilty. I also then worry about "flat head." But I can't possibly hold her or carry her her all the time right? It's such a Catch 22!</p> <p>How much "down" time do you think is okay? Sometimes, I feel bad that she is calm but I feel guilty and think I should pick her up. Then I have no idea what to do, because we can only walk around our house for a few minutes! What do you do?</p> <p>H </p>